DPP lawmaker Hong Chi-chang (
Hong, who on Dec. 1 won his fifth term as a legislator-at-large, is the party's most senior lawmaker.
Yesterday evening, he continued to remain evasive on his candidacy, saying that the new DPP caucus has the final say on the matter.
PHOTO: GEORGE TSORNG, TAIPEI TIMES
Some fellow colleagues have vowed to boycott Hong on the grounds that the New Tide faction, of which he is a stalwart member, has more people in important political positions than it deserves.
To help prevent a factional fray from sapping internal unity, the president held private talks with the five DPP lawmakers who are seeking the vice speakership. In addition to Hong, Shen Fu-hsiung (沈富雄), Hsu Jung-shu (許榮淑), Ker Chien-ming (柯建銘) and Trong Chai (蔡同榮) have made clear their interest in the post.
Chen urged all the aspirants to approach the matter in line with the principles of seniority, ethics and balance.
This advice is regarded as favorable to Hong, in light of his professional credentials.
He was first elected to the legislature in 1989 and served as convener of the legislature's interior, foreign affairs, finance and economic committees over the past 12 years.
Described by colleagues as cautious, stable, and thoughtful, Hong has shunned any clear statements about his political ambitions.
"I would not portray my candidacy as final, as more discussion among caucus members is necessary," Hong said.
The 88-member DPP caucus will convene its first meeting on Sunday with an eye on picking the vice speaker candidate, as well as the three legislative leaders for next session.
The lawmaking body is due to elect its speaker and vice speaker on Feb. 1, right after newly elected legislators take their oaths of office.
Hong's low-key status is believed to have more to do with factional resistance than with his character.
Colleague Lin Feng-hsi (
"I will enter the race myself, if Hong or anyone else from the New Tide faction is awarded the candidacy," Lin said. "Despite its modest size, the faction has occupied many government posts, elected and appointed."
Lin, who recently stepped down as the party's caucus leader, claimed that many shared his views, but they opted to keep their discontent under wraps for the sake of harmony. He belongs to the party's New Dynamics faction.
By contrast, Tsai Huang-liang (
Shen, though disappointed, said he would respect the president's choice.
"As he is from the same faction as the president, I will definitely follow his instruction," Shen told reporters.
Likewise, Ker, a heavyweight member of the Welfare State faction, painted Hong's nomination as almost a given.
"The situation is obviously in Hong's favor," Ker said, dismissing as premature allegations he would take up the leadership of the caucus instead.
Aware of his predicament, Hong said that if he is nominated, he would focus on seeking internal support before reaching out to opposition parties.
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